Immune function keeps endosymbionts under control.
How does an animal host prevent intracellular symbionts getting out of hand? A new paper in BMC Biology provides evidence that the mutualism between a beetle and its bacterial endosymbiont could be mediated through the expression of host immune genes.
Reynolds
Stuart
S
Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. s.e.reynolds@bath.ac.uk
Rolff
Jens
J
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D048889:Weevils / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000469:parasitology